Here we are - 3 weeks into the season. Hopefully, your team has been healthy, and you are finding success. But, no matter how successful, one must address specific parts of the offense or defense that needs correction. As a big proponent of structure in teaching as I am, I also realize that there are times where adjustments must be made; if there is a way to put a better overall product on the field, the coach must be compelled to explore that option.

This was the case with us, as I coach my young son's team. As I had previously thought, the setup of our verbiage allows for great flexibility in learning - we execute a high number of plays (averaging 51 per game - which is above average at the youth level) with very little hesitation. The biggest fluctuation has come in the practice plan; our small roster has forced us to cross train positional players. For example, we began teaching 2 of our receivers as running backs in individual work as part of our plan a few weeks ago; this decision proved valuable this week, as an injury allowed us to get out of a game, while maintaining offensive production.

In order to remain within the time constraints of practice, certain things had to go. We lengthened teaching periods on the first and third practices of the week, shortening or omitting some group work. Because the offense is so streamlined, we never felt like we were losing reps; rather, we were able to gain in regard to individual details.

Also - we eliminated all things that were getting in the way of our success. I feel that the easiest way to protect is the pocket, rather than sprint/ bootleg, because the pocket can account for any "free hats" that other protections cannot. Further, certain routes were de-emphasized because of the timing required, or the skill set of the majority of the players. While one should always carry special ways to get great players the ball, a coach should not waste valuable time throwing getting reps to people in positions they will never be in. For example, if you have a great deep threat and want to throw a "stop and go" route to him, practice that with HIM, not to a line of receivers who will never have that play called for them. Be specific, be organized, and have a plan for individual routes to be practiced at a high tempo.

This system of teaching allows for several things: the honing QB reads, an awareness of when to scramble, and an emphasis on timing:

Every individual route has a timing, and because of this, we can manipulate the QB's read with the navigation tag attached. Here, we use the MAVERICK advantage principle, with the back (who mostly plays receiver) motioning out :

The extra attention paid to the timing of the routes can be hammered home in individual work as group/ team settings; we have also separated the protection aspect from the route for the QB in many instances in practice. Even routes on air are thrown with consideration for passing lanes, and timing/ availability of routes is always stressed. The key differences of knowing when to work the pocket and when to escape can be taught in the scramble drill, which serves a conditioning tool for the QB:

Speaking of timing, the number of quality reps can be increased exponentially with great pace and teaching in individual settings. Here, we see the timing of a quick post:

In short, careful inspection and honest assessment of a team's needs needs should supersede what a coach "has always done"; sometimes, less "team" and more "individual" work can improve the overall scheme.

Most of all, with a small roster, a coach is able to save his players' legs during the week. Individual teaching can still teach the same lessons as group drills, with less people running on every play. For some, this could pay huge dividends.